Is the EU Permanently Closed to
Biotech?
Greetings from central Illinois! I was in Champaign, Illinois – home of the
University of Illinois – on Monday for the International Biotechnology Conference, which was put on by
the Illinois Soybean Association.
It was an exceptional conference and I’ll tell you why… I
sometimes attend conferences that say they are international, but really just represent the US, Canada and
maybe Mexico.
This was truly international – people from 16 different countries attended and
almost all of the audience questions were asked by attendees from countries other than the US. I was delighted
to personally meet and talk to folks from India, Argentina and Brazil, although many other countries were
represented.
Learning about how things “work” in other countries is a real passion of mine.
And this conference held to its name of offering an international perspective on biotechnology. I’ll
offer a few speaker insights below, but please watch News & Analysis for more detailed stories from the
conference.
Paul Temple, a farmer from East Yorkshire, England, said to most, the EU looks closed
for business when it comes to biotechnology. Paul and other speakers offered little hope that the EU's biotech
position will change anytime in the next five years.
Paul said most UK farmers have never seen GM
crops in the field and don’t even consider growing GM crops because they are as misinformed about
biotechnology as the UK public. He noted that there are no programs to take GM onto their farms and major
biotech companies are walking away from the EU. He also said that most consumers, politicians and farmers are
unaware of the need for protein imports and that 80 per cent of those are GM-based.
Dr.
Nicholas Kalaitzandonakes, Director of Economics and Management of Agrobiotechnology Center, said
sustained innovation comes with sustained investment and effort. From 1985 – 2012, there was a 17-fold
increase in private sector investment. He also said there is a misconception that consumers don’t
benefit from technology, but they do via lower food costs. His calculations show that consumers have gained
$14 billion from Roundup Ready soybeans alone.
Dr. Dick Crowder, former Chief Agriculture
Negotiator, Office of the US Trade Representative, said he believes we can double production by 2050 to meet
food demand. In the new global environment, the best source of food security will not be found in the concept
of self-sufficiency, but will be found in reliable trading partners. Uncertainty created by customers because
of lack of biotechnology approvals and other reasons will result in a risk premium they pay for their
product.
Tuesday through Thursday I'll be at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois. I’ll let
you know what new technology is coming your way next week. Again, watch News & Analysis this week for live
coverage of the Farm Progress Show.
Have a great week!
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